GSX 1400 or something else?

[mikesaa309]

Currently am on the A2 licence and have a bandit 600 and I'm planning on doing my A licence this year and so far am set on a GSX 1400.

Not sure though If I'd find it fun like with the bandit there's noticeable power jumps throughout the rev range so it's kinda like a 2 stroke which are pretty fun to ride but at the same time I like the idea of being able to be in top gear at 15 mph and just open throttle and let it pull quick to it's top speed like on the GSX 1400. Plus heard it's not the best at handling but doubt it's any worse than the bandit.

Anyone here own a GSX 1400 that could tell me if it's a fun bike to ride or not? Also is the power linear or curved? If not the GSX 1400 what other bikes should I consider kinda like the look of the z800 but prefer the retro naked bikes like the GSX and the CB1300.

[wristjob]

try more bikes.
if a b6 is your idea of fun you need to get out more.
ive owned a b6 and at the time i thought it was great,then i rode plenty of other stuff and some i thought were great and some were crap.
even if you are some suzuki fan boy there is more choice even in thier range.

[Nobby the Bastard]

[redeem ouzzer]

I like the 1400 and nearly bought one, but i know deep down my GSXR1100 does everything better apart from low speed comfort.

Power delivery is fairly linear.
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[mikesaa309]

Not really a fan of any bike in particular, only reason I've got bandit 600 is because for one I'm fairly limited with an A2 licence and secondly it's a physically big bike and the weight makes it feel well planted to the road. Have ridden a Sv650 and a GSX650F and both felt like a 250 in my opinion, sure the torque is fairly decent on them but bandit seems quite adequate after 4-5k rpm.

But yeah the bandit is the only big bike I've ridden properly haven't had chance to properly test out any other bikes and since I've only ever ridden my CBF 125 prior to the bandit, the b6 feels pretty quick in comparison and it's done all I've asked of it so far.

So I like the GSX 14 because it's physically a big bike and I like the retro naked look. Have considered the CB1300 but GSX has a little more power and I like the under seat storage too. Most owner reviews wouldn't get rid of it and apparently pulls in top gear from 15 mph. Not so fussed on top end speed anything over 70 is illegal anyway and most cars can't top 145 mph anyway, very rarely do I come a cross a performance car round where I live and again it's illegal to race on the road anyway. My only concern is if I'd find the power boring in the sense that it's not as involving as say an R6 or z800 etc.

[wristjob]

it may be that the 1400 is the bike for you.
however there are plenty of lardy bikes to go at if thats your thing.
if you want something that feels powerful but is actually not fast enough, you could try an mt-01(great fun on a test ride though)
do you like corners?are you finding the bandit letting you down when you want to steer?
if not then maybe a cruiser is what you want.(not kidding have you had a go on one)
just try more things before you settle for something dire.

[arry]

Of the sort of bike the GSX is, the CB1300 is the best of them imo.

Probably after that it's the XJR.

I tried all 3. I bought none.

[Vincent 2]

Had a few in my time , and the one I loved the most was the GSXR 750 2002, no much more heavier than the six hundred , but more power , a nice size and really all the power you need, see if you`ve got a mate who will let you try it , you will love it

[mikesaa309]

bandit seems okay in the handling department obviously not excellent being a cheap budget commuter bike but handles okay for what I need. More concerned about mud or horses and other dangers on corners than whether the bike can handle well. Don't particularly fancy a cruiser. I like a little more leaning room for one and much prefer the styling of a naked bike especially street fighters well not over the top ones but like renthal bars, jack up kit on the back and a after market exhaust system. Also CBF 125 indicators.

I do like the CB1300's have sat on one a few years ago, would probably be a better build quality being Honda instead of Suzuki to be fair. I do like the under seat storage on the GSX 14 though but will have more of a look into the CB1300.

[monkeybiker]

[arry]

It's a flat torque monster rather than tuned for outright power.

Peak figures don't tell the whole story.

[.....]

[mikesaa309]

Yeah it's not designed for top end speed that said apparently it's possible to get 160 mph out of it with a power commander III so that's always an option I guess. But the torque is crazy on the GSX obviously not like a cruiser kinda torque but pulls pretty quick in top gear from 15 mph. Apparently it has power restrcitors in 1st and 2nd gear to keep the front wheel down but it's still possible to lift the front wheel quite easily.

Besides I ride a bandit 600, most bikes will feel faster than that lol.

[redeem ouzzer]

They are restricted by cams, pipes and the FI. Big power is possible at which point it becomes an interesting choice.

Personally if I wanted a shit handling steel framed Suzuki I'd still go with the katana / 1100k mashup.
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[Robby]

If you like it, get it.

If you then get bored, sell it and buy something else. You don't have to keep it forever.

[Rogerborg]

[stevo as b4]

They are a bit overstyled and an attempt at one upmanship on the XJR that is what I don't like about them. The finish would make a CB 1300SF owner cry too, and I just like the look of the classic old engine on the XJR more. ZRX is a slightly different appeal, and not quite the low down grunt monster.

But GSX14 or bandit 600/650 there's no decision to make. It comes down to if you have a fucking pulse or not?

[Rogerborg]

[stevo as b4]

Hi Roger.

My post comes across the way you read it, but I'd ride a superdream in preference to a bandit, though there's worse bikes out there somewhere maybe?

The GSX14 is a real man's proper bike, it needs a bit of tweaking but most bikes I like do to some degree. But if you have balls and want to use them the big Blue/white beast is the way to go.

If you like bandits, then it's probably going to scare you and ruin your make up and hair though.

[Rogerborg]

[Updates Personnel record]
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[mikesaa309]

[talkToTheHat]

Gsx1400 is a bigger posher more retro bandit 12. A friend of my missus has one and i've been meaning to try it. Expect a big grunty thing that has lots of punch at lower revs rather than the frantic top end rush of something sportier. It's not much lardier than the bandit, and you're likely to find a cosetted low milage garage queen.

Ride some other bikes if you can. Try something sportier. I've had loads of fun on sporty bikes, but i don't think i could live with one.

How are you riding the bandit you have? Do you like to ride each gear until it runs out of thrust or are you riding the midrange and shortshifting?

I like my b6 for being a big soft thing, it's neither a lazy cruiser nor a frantic sportsbike, and the big musclebikes are attractive.
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Bandit. does. everything.

[mikesaa309]

[inline4]

Have you tried the Bandit 1250?

It should give you similar power and torque levels as the 1400 plus it's in production and has a liquid cooled engine.

[Rogerborg]